CHAPTER 17
ELLEN
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Ellen could tell Leah was sneaking looks from the passenger seat. She attempted to block them out and pay attention to the road but eventually cracked. "Leah, what's with the constant staring since we left?"
"Um, are we okay?" Leah asked with a touch of sadness in her voice. "You seemed pissed at me all day."
"We're okay. But you didn't even bother to ask if I wanted you to join me at Roxy's before you decided we’d go there together."
Leah realized her mistake and let out a "Fuck." She closed her eyes for a moment to process the fact she had disappointed Ellen (again). "I didn't think. I just wanted to help you."
"Well, some things will never change, I suppose."
"Would you rather I go home?" asked Leah.
"Don't be so dramatic. I let it out. Now, let's move on," Ellen reassured her, putting her hand on Leah's. "Beside my sister, you're my best friend. It's hard for me to stay mad at you, even if I tried."
Leah smiled at Ellen but couldn't stop feeling guilty. "Thanks, Ellen."
"Uh, why?" Ellen looked at Leah without really understanding why.
"For staying in my life despite all odds."
Ellen smiled at Leah and arrived on the street where Roxy lived. They got out of the car and walked. "It's right here," Ellen said in front of the house. "You'll be nice to her? I know you can be protective of Taylor, Jessie, and me."
"Sure, of course."
Ellen was now standing outside Roxy's door, a light coat over her shoulders and a bottle of wine in her hand. She tried to calm her nerves by shifting her weight from one foot to the other.
She was overly conscious of how long it took her to choose her outfit, how many times she almost didn't come, and the fact that this evening already felt like an exam she hadn't studied for.
The door swung open just before she could knock.
Roxy stood there and looked amazing, prettier than Ellen had ever seen.
She was rocking a basic white tee, some light jeans, and Converse.
This outfit accentuated her beautiful face, making her eyes sparkle.
Ellen gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"I saw you on the door cam," Roxy said. "You hesitated for at least two full seconds. Didn't want to take a chance to see you leave."
"I was just making sure it was the right place," Ellen said. It was the first answer that came to her mind, even though it made little sense.
"You're at the right place," she said, still smiling and hypnotized by Ellen. "Since you're here, you're staying, right?" There was an uneasy silence following Roxy's last line. Would she be as nervous as Ellen for this evening? "And you must be the friend from LA?"
"Leah Donovan," she hurried to reply before Ellen could think about it.
"Oh, like Leah, your ex?" Roxy asked Ellen straight up, sounding a bit surprised and bummed.
Seeing Ellen's hesitation, Leah put her arm around her waist and jumped in to answer right away. "And still her best friend." Leah now wore a smile laden with meaning. Some might interpret it as jealousy, while others, like Ellen, would say it's a protective instinct.
Roxy stiffened and looked as though she was biting her cheeks to hold back a bitchy comment. "Great, this is… great," she responded, her tone dripping with fake sincerity, trying her best to be diplomatic for Ellen. "Pleasure meeting you, Leah. I am Roxy, Ellen…"
"Yeah, no need," Leah cut quickly, "I know who you are."
There was an undertone of mistrust in Leah's voice now. Ellen, meanwhile, gave Leah a hard look. She clearly didn't appreciate what was happening in front of her. "Thanks for having us over, Roxy."
"I am glad you could come, Ellen," she said, basically pretending Leah wasn't there. "Well, come inside."
They entered Roxy and Charles's house, which was bursting with life, with everyone engrossed in a game.
Looking around, Ellen's eyes landed on the minute details scattered about.
The entrance was a mess, with credit card bills strewn about, coats in disarray, and shoes tossed everywhere.
Each picture on the walls captured a moment, featuring Charles and Roxy separately or as a couple, frequently from their travels.
The background music was a soft hum, but Blake's voice cut through it, a sound Ellen felt she knew well.
This realization pointed to one truth: Roxy had a separate existence beyond their shared moments.
Was she deliberately causing trouble for Roxy? Roxy, at the same time, had extended the invitation to her.
Ellen and Leah were still in the entryway when Charles appeared. "Ah! Elle est enfin là! Bonjour, Ellen," he said in highly broken French, reaching out to shake Leah's and Ellen’s hands.
"He practised all day just for you," Roxy whispered, a loud chuckle escaping her lips as she nudged Ellen.
"What?" Charles was surprised. "I'm just happy to meet one of Roxy's new friends. She told me a lot about you, Ellen."
Leah mumbled in a voice loud enough to be heard, though unclear, attempting to make Roxy uncomfortable, "Oh, how kind of you." If Roxy's gaze alone could end a life, Leah would have perished right then and there.
"I've heard many things about you as well," Ellen responded, her smile steady as she tried to ease the thick tension between Roxy and Leah.
Turning to Leah, he extended her hand for a handshake. "Charles Roberts, cohost of the night, but Roxy deserves full credit for the night's success."
"Oh, I have no doubt about that. Leah Donovan," Leah answered, glancing at Roxy, who didn't look at either of them. She vanished into the kitchen without a word.
"So, basically, we're in the middle of a game of Werewolf—you can join the next game if you want. There's only one person you need to watch out for," Charles said, nodding toward a girl in the back. "Sophie. She'd betray you in a heartbeat if it meant securing a victory without even flinching."
Sophie’s voice boomed from afar, "Oi! I'm right here, I can hear you!"
"Yeah, and I wasn't hiding either," Charles replied, turning his attention back to Ellen and Leah. "Go have fun, and I'll totally make sure you've got drinks covered, whatever kind you're after."
Ellen, furious with Leah, let her head to the living room.
She took her time to relax and observe her surroundings more closely.
Roxy reappeared with a fresh bottle in one hand, already heading to her guests.
The weight of her existence in Roxy's actual life settled upon Ellen, who had no clue about the version of Ellen Charles anticipated.
There were seven or eight people in the living room, and Leah instantly clicked with everyone, already making Charles's coworker laugh with a drink in hand. This was her natural element.
On the other hand, Ellen lingered at the edge, observing and watching.
Mostly, she was watching Roxy. The way she effortlessly moved between groups, refilling glasses, and smiled at the right moments was mesmerizing.
She always seemed to listen more than to speak, and she had control over how she presented herself here.
Roxy kept stealing glances at Ellen, who could feel the weight of those looks.
The more time passed, the more uncomfortable Ellen felt. Every minute that went by reminded her she was blindly stepping into an affair that went against all her values.
About an hour in, mid-game, the room relaxed with the wine flowing. Ellen finally let herself sink into the evening. She laughed at something Leah said. She almost forgot she was performing.
"Hey," a soft voice cut in, just beside her. Ellen turned and came face-to-face with the girl Charles had warned about. She smiled at Ellen and held out her hand. "I'm Sophie."
"Yeah, Charles warned us about you." Ellen scoffed. "Rumour has it, you are utterly without mercy."
Sophie's eyes rolled so far back they nearly popped out of their sockets.
"Give me a break. Seriously, you shouldn't pay any attention to his words. The situation was clear—it was either Charles or me. I chose myself, and the resentment lingers for him." Sophie laughed. "We already met, right?"
Ellen shook her head gently. "I would be surprised. I recently moved from Canada."
"You're right," Sophie said, her eyes crinkling, "a beautiful girl like you would definitely stick in my memory, no doubt about it." The intention behind the words was unmistakably flirtatious.
Ellen offered a warm smile and a welcoming hand. "I'm Ellen. Nice to meet you, Sophie."
With a broad smile, Sophie clasped Ellen's hand. "The pleasure is all mine, Ellen. So, where are you from?" Sophie's lip-biting made Ellen squirm slightly.
Then, Roxy popped up next to Ellen. “Are you okay here?” Roxy asked, her hand gently on Ellen's lower back.
"Of course," Sophie said, ignoring Roxy and focusing on Ellen, "I'm just getting to know your lovely new friend."
Ellen felt Roxy go rigid, as if jealousy just kicked in. "Gotcha. Anyway, your boyfriend is looking for you," Roxy tossed in, a bit provocatively, to Sophie."
Sophie turned pink, slightly awkward about being found out. "Alright then. See you around, Ellen." She walked toward a man in the distance who was speaking with Charles.
With a frown, Roxy observed Sophie retreating. The situation had a touch of irony. Sophie's flirting with Ellen, despite having a boyfriend, seemed to really bother Roxy. Yet, wasn't Roxy also doing precisely that for the last few weeks?
Roxy looked at her, eyes steady, and put her hand on her arm. "You good?"
"Um, yeah," Ellen said, but her heart was still thudding too loud.
"I got your back, Ellen." Roxy winked at her, then continued, "By the way, Leah seamed super kind."
"Yeah, I should have warned you that I was bringing my ex. She's just my best friend, and can be a little bit protective about me, you know?"